How to send PUSH messages to an Android APP (General overview)

[JimAvanti]

Hello,

I have a vb.net program I wrote that monitors and controls my home alarm system which works with an Android APP written in B4A (Basic for Android). The phone App is used to simply control the alarm state and make requests. The VB.net end of the setup will alert my phone by sending an SMS text message if there is a problem. It does this simply be creating an email to my phone_number AT vtext.com (Verizon email to SMS service).

A couple years ago Gmail decided not to allow 3rd party access to their SMTP server to send emails unless 2-step verification was enabled, which I finally gave in and setup to get my alarm notifications working again. Now Verizon has decided to eliminate their email to SMS service (vtext.com). In my search for another email to SMS service, I am wondering if PUSH notifications would be a better option rather than depending on services that can stop working at the drop of a hat.

I understand that my Phone app does not need to be running in order for the phone to be able to receive PUSH messages, but it does need to be modified. I do not understand how to setup up PUSH messages or what is involved and I was wondering if anyone has done something similar and can explain the process to me so that I can decide if this is even feasible. What needs to be done on the vb.net side, does a 3rd part service or server need to be used or does the vb.net code communicate with the phone APP directly? Any information on the process or pointing me in the right direction to get me started would be greatly appreciated. I am getting tired of depending on services that change or disappear.
Thanks,
Jim